mini vacation in the northeast before New Years
 

I have a few "use em or lose em" vacation days left and the end of the year is quiet at work so 2-3 days away seems like a good idea.

I just want a place easy to drive to from NYC, up to about 3 hours drive. Main requirement is a nice hotel or larger inn. I don't really like B&Bs and I'd love to have an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness room available. I just want to hang out , read,eat, shop a little so the hotel itself is more important than the specific location. Nicer chain hotels (not motels) are fine.Under $200 per night if possible, but more is OK meals included or for a really special place

Any specific suggestions of hotel? I keep coming back to Saratoga Springs, but I'd like to expand my options

How about one of those great inns out in the Hamptons?

Look in Greenwich Ct. http://greenwich.hyatt.com/hyatt/hot...index.jsp?null

Mystic, CT
Newport, RI
Great Barrington or (quieter) Lenox, MA
Brattleboro or Bennington, VT
Delaware Water Gap, NJ-PA
Philadelphia (esp Rittenhouse Square) PA

Settling in Mystic might be a nice option since it's only 100 miles from NYC ... even better if you can take weekdays rather than weekends since you'll likely get better prices on hotels and find fewer crowds.

There's a lot to do right in town, and if you have a car you can easily get to two outlet malls that are within easy driving distance of Mystic, or you can shop right in town. Plus, there are two casinos nearby if you like to gamble. I don't know what Mystic itself does for Christmas, but I bet it's pretty.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Between work and leisure I'm sure I've been to each of these places at least once, but I hadn't necessarily thought of them this time. I'm stuck on the specific hotel choice too.

JoJoSiestaKey: "How about one of those great inns out in the Hamptons?"--any names for me to look into?

Last time I was in Mystic, I stayed at a Hilton that was bland even for a Hilton! I think the Marriott in Groton is supposed to be nicer, so I'll look at that. Mystic is less appealing to me for this kind of trip in summer because of the many kids underfoot, but it's not much of a winter atttaction, so that could work.

If you have leads for any specific hotels or inns (with facilities or access to them) in these locations or others, I'd be interested in hearing more!

(I did tag this question as Rhode Island too, but I see that it didn't take)

A few miles from Mystic is Stonington Borough. This is a beautiful little village with 18th and 19th century houses, a few shops, a few restaurants. All the attractions of Mystic are of course nearby. The Inn at Stonington comes well recommended. http://www.theinnatstonington.com/

In Newport, the Hotel Viking has a good reputation. http://www.hotelviking.com/

Canyon Ranch in Lenox MA? Get in shape before rather than after the holidays :-)

Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA? Funky Norman Rockwell inn in small town center. Holiday spirit guaranteed?

A college town? Most of the students will be gone in Amherst, Northampton and Williamstown, MA.

If you do decide on Mystic, you could get tickets for the candle light walk at Mystic Seaport one evening. bring warm clothes for this.

The Inn at Stonington or the Ocean House Hotel in Watch Hill RI are just a few minutes away and have more "charm" than the local hotel)-motels in the area. Other than going to the casinos or one of the local bars, there isn't a lot of night life. Most of the local hotel-motels do have shuttles to the casinos if driving there is a concern in the evening.

I think the Hotel Viking in Newport RI is a great idea. It is a festive time to visit. Lots of lovely walking, stores, restaurants, and the big Mansion Christmas lie - (they were summer cottages and when occupied, were never decorated for Christmas)